Saudi Arabia issues 92 new industrial licenses in April
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 92 new industrial licenses in April, while 80 factories began production during the same month, the ministry said in a report.
The newly licensed projects represent investments exceeding SAR 2 billion and are expected to create more than 1,427 jobs across various regions of the Kingdom, according to data from the National Industrial and Mining Information Center.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
35 minutes ago
- Arab News
Al-Nassr sign Mohamed Simakan on 5-year deal
RIYADH: Al-Nassr have completed the signing of French defender Mohamed Simakan on a five-year deal, according to Arriyadiyah. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The 25-year-old center back joined the Saudi Pro League side on loan from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig last summer. That deal included a mandatory purchase clause, which has now been activated following the conclusion of the 2024–25 season. The report said the loan was structured purely for administrative and financial reasons and with all contractual conditions now fulfilled, Al-Nassr have formalized the transfer. Simakan made 39 appearances during his debut season, 26 of them in the Saudi Pro League, 11 in the AFC Champions League Elite and two in the King Cup. A consistent performer and a versatile presence in defense, he quickly established himself as a key figure in Al-Nassr's back line. He contributed one goal and three assists. His market value is currently estimated at €23 million ($26.1 million), according to Transfermarkt.
Arab News
35 minutes ago
- Arab News
A dream fulfilled: Saudis accompany parents to Hajj for the first time
RIYADH: Hajj is often described as the journey of a lifetime. For many Saudis, it is even more meaningful when it is shared with their parents. Young pilgrims accompany their mothers and fathers to Hajj as a way of renewing their commitment to family and to create a deeper sense of spiritual responsibility, especially among first-time pilgrims. The experience becomes an intergenerational bond built through shared rituals, resilience and reflection. 'You need someone to guide you — and who better than your mother?' said 22-year-old Ethar Abdulrahman. For her, the idea of going to Hajj alone felt overwhelming: 'It's not easy for someone my age to go through Hajj alone. You need someone to guide and support you, and emotionally you need someone to ease the loneliness of being away from family. Having that person be your parent is just beyond amazing.' While accompanying her mother, Abdulrahman's role quickly shifted from daughter to caregiver — one who packed thoughtfully, walked attentively and remained emotionally present through every stage of the pilgrimage. I wasn't just performing rituals. I was also caring for someone I love — holding her hand in Tawaf, supporting her through heat and crowds. I'll never forget those moments. Rania Al-Mutairi 'I packed medications and creams in case she got tired or needed anything,' she said. 'The most meaningful moment was after we finished the stoning ritual and returned to the camp. She would tell me stories about the Prophet and how difficult Hajj used to be before all the services and facilitation. It brought a sense of history to the present.' Spending days and nights side by side, praying, walking and resting, had a profound effect on their relationship. 'It brought me much closer to my mother,' said Abdulrahman. 'I realized how wise and spiritually grounded she is.' For Rania Al-Mutairi, 24, the decision to accompany her mother held deep intentions. At first I was anxious about the time and logistics, but soon I realized Hajj isn't a race. Slowing down with (my father) gave me more time to reflect and be present. It was a spiritual recalibration. Hamad Al-Qahtani 'I wasn't just performing rituals,' she said. 'I was also caring for someone I love — holding her hand in Tawaf, supporting her through heat and crowds. I'll never forget those moments.' She described the journey as a spiritual and emotional balancing act: 'When your focus is on someone else, it can be easy to forget your own needs. But somehow Hajj makes you grow into both roles — servant and seeker.' The role of a caregiver during Hajj is not limited to carrying bags or fetching water. It is about constant emotional attentiveness — watching for signs of exhaustion, navigating crowds carefully, and offering reassurance when the heat or pressure becomes overwhelming. Hamad Al-Qahtani, 26, accompanied his elderly father and said the experience transformed his understanding of patience. 'My dad walks slower and needs frequent breaks,' he said. 'At first I was anxious about the time and logistics, but soon I realized Hajj isn't a race. Slowing down with him gave me more time to reflect and be present. It was a spiritual recalibration.' One of the most moving aspects of these journeys is the storytelling, with older pilgrims recalling their first Hajj decades ago under vastly different conditions. 'Every time we sat down to rest, my mother would tell me how she did this 30 years ago,' Abdulrahman recalled. 'Back then, it was tents with barely any cooling, long walks with no shade, and limited access to health services. 'Today I watched her marvel at the buses, the apps, the water stations. It reminded me of how far we've come as a country — and how much easier it is now, thanks to the efforts of the Saudi authorities.' You need someone to guide you — and who better than your mother? Ethar Abdulrahman While many young pilgrims embark on Hajj focused on their own internal transformation, those who accompany parents often find their biggest growth comes from the act of service. Serving a parent during Hajj is, for many, a form of worship — one that aligns with Islamic values of honoring one's mother and father, especially in moments of vulnerability and need. Al-Mutairi said: 'I think I learned more from serving my mother than I did from any book. Hajj gave me the space to observe her strength, her patience and her unwavering faith. It taught me what submission really looks like.' The young Saudis feel there is something profoundly symbolic about guiding a parent through the same rituals they once performed for their own elders. The circular nature of the experience — care being returned, support offered back — creates a spiritual loop that extends across time and generations. While every pilgrim walks their own path, those who share it with a parent carry more than just ihram and water bottles. They carry legacy, love and a living reminder that faith is not only inherited but also nurtured.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Grand Mosque's Mobile Stroke Unit Saves Life of Ugandan Hajj Pilgrim
The Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) stationed at the Grand Mosque, affiliated with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC), successfully intervened to save a Ugandan Hajj pilgrim who suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage. The pilgrim lost consciousness within the Grand Mosque due to the hemorrhage, prompting an immediate response from the specialized unit, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday. Upon diagnosis at the scene, immediate treatment was initiated before the pilgrim was transferred to King Abdulaziz Hospital, a Makkah Health Cluster member, for further comprehensive medical care. The MSU, unique in the Middle East, is fully equipped with a specialized medical team including a neurologist, cardiologist, respiratory therapist, emergency nurse, radiologist, and paramedic, along with a CT scanner. This advanced capability significantly enhances the efficiency of on-site diagnosis and treatment. The Ugandan pilgrim received critical treatment within an impressive 16 minutes, one-sixth of the internationally accepted standard time of 60 minutes for such cases. His condition has since improved, and he is now undergoing medical rehabilitation to complete his Hajj rituals. This rapid and efficient response exemplifies Saudi Arabia's integrated healthcare system, which aims to boost service quality and accessibility with the highest efficiency. Such efforts align directly with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, key pillars of Saudi Vision 2030, focused on providing advanced healthcare and ensuring pilgrims perform their rituals safely.
